In April 1986, 5th Battalion, Maratha light Infantry (5th MLI) were given the responsibility to carry out the study of Air-Assault formations of the US and USSR armies and make a presentation to the officers of the entire division. This was a pioneering effort which enabled the conceptualization of Air-Borne operations of the formation for offensive airborne operations. This culminated in a major joint exercise between Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force codenamed Exercise Tri Shakti (Ex Tri Shakti). The exercise was conceived by the then Army Chief, General K Sundarji who was a proponent of inter-service cooperation. India had acquired IL-76 transport aircraft and T-72 Tanks with amphibious capability. This enabled India of launching a battalion sized group strike. This exercise enabled India to train its troops in strategic roles.

The concept of and Air Assault Division took shape in India sometime in 1983-84. To validate the concepts envisaged, 54 Infantry Division (which included 5th MLI) was earmarked as Air Assault Division and 47 Infantry brigade was nominated as Air Transported Brigade.

The exercise was conducted under the over all control of Lt General RS Dayal the GOC-in-C of Southern Command. In addition, the Southern Air Command, the Western Naval fleet, 54th Infantry Division and a Battalion group ex 51st Para Brigade were involved. The aim of the exercise was to capture the hypothetic enemy territory, in this case whole of Goa state which borders Western Ghats and the plains of Belgaum District in Karnataka. This article presents the Exercise from 5th, MLI point of view. The offensive plan envisaged the capture of Dabolim Airfield by an airborne battalion group in a night operation and thereafter landing a division size force by air to carry out the offensive. Simultaneously, the plan was to launch a Battalion size amphibious force south of Dabolim Airport to establish a beachhead and there after to launch a heliborne assault to capture the Belgaum town.

Major General M A Zaki, GOC ATNK&K area was Director of Exercise directly under the Army Chief. Rear Admiral V S Shekhawat was the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Fleet.

The Exercise commenced on April, 17th, 1986 and ended on April, 28, 1986. Prior it its physical launch, there was thorough run up in the techniques involved, especially operating with other two forces.

The run up commenced on April 1, 1986, When the commanding officer (CO) attended a discussion of the operational plan at the Head Quarters (HQ) of 47th Infantry Brigade’s sand model room. This was followed up on April, 4, 1986, when 12 officers attended a lecture by the officer commanding Divisional Signal Regment on “The communication plan during “Tri Shakti” as communicating with the opther two services would be involved. On the very next day the Battalion carried out familirisation training on the IL-76 Transport aircraft to be used in the Exercise. In addition MLI personnel were taken to Air Force Academy where AN-32 and IL-76 aircrafts were especially for familirisation. Some drivers, who were seeing the aircrafts in close for the first time, were made to drive a vehicle in and out of the aircraft. Even the most skilled driver among them shuddered with excitement as they were made to drive a 3 Ton Shaktiman in and out of IL-76. This was followed up by a full scale battalion level, live excecise held from 1830 to 2330 hours the same day in which 12 officers, 24 JCO’s and 324 other ranks participated. On April, 8, 1986, the battalion, at Basantar Stadium, practiced the preparation for and loading of aircraft loads that would be needed during the exercise.

An officer was sent to Cochin to liaise with the PARA Commandos who were tasked to carry out a combined operation with the 5th MLI. The officer met the aboard INS Vikrant.

The exercise opened with the 2nd Para (Maratha) air assault on Dabolim Airfield. The local authorities had switched off electrical power and rescue parties were posted near coconut groves to prevent accidents. There was only a minor causality when a parachute got stuck in a coconut tree. The airfield was captured at first light after a night long fight. The 1st MLI, after a sea journey was due to land on a beach about 20 km’s from Dabolim Airfield past midnight. The three Chiefs of Army, Navy and Airforce were among the observers. The army was particularly interested in the performance of T-72 Tanks which had amphibious capabilities. The Naval Sea king helicopters also carried troops to the beachhead. Subsequently they regrouped to launch the heliborne operations in IAF helicopters the next night to capture the important town of Belgaum. The golf course of the MLI in Belgaum served as landing zone.

Early in the morning of April, 18, 2006, the whole unit was lined up at Begumpet airfield near Hyderabad. The whole atmosphere was looking charged with excitement. The entire AN-32 of the Indian Air Force landed and took off with the entire 5th MLI, 2nd MLI and support elements of 54 Infantry Division to Dabolim airport in Goa. The planes landed in Dabolim airport in one and a half hour. On landing, the vehicles were standing ready for the unit to move, which they did swiftly. Subsequently the respective unit vehicles were loaded in IL-76’s which joined the units in later phase of the exercise.

The 54 Infantry Division slithered from hovering helicopters to surround and subdue the enemy troops around the Western Ghats.

On the plains, the Armour led the Infantry advance. They had to be slowed down the speed of advance by helicopters painting imaginary picture as the enemy resources were scanty. They finally launched a divisional level deliberate night attack to clear a strong enemy position on a dominating height that looked over the road axis to Kolhapur. The attack was final.

After four days of relentless action, the exercise ended with everyone reaching a point of exhaustion and sleeplessness.

Note: Colonel JJ Singh , who commanded the 5th MLI in Tri Shakti went on to become the Chief of Army staff and Rear Admiral V S Shekhawat went on to become the Chief of Naval staff.

Copyrights to A ‘Royal’ Tribute , a history of the 5th Maratha Light Infantry Battalion 1800 – 2005, written by Major General (Retd.) E. D’Souza, PVSM . Compilation includes personal recall by Major General (Retd.) K C Karumbaya, SM and Lieutenant General J J Singh, AVSM, VSM who is now the Chief of Army Staff.

This article has been approved by the author with exclusive posting right to Frontier India Journal. It may not be reproduced without the consent of Frontier India or the author.